Fun stems from coding and technologyAustin moved around the Kodiak classroom with ease. But he wasn’t in the classroom. Austin’s classmates also roamed the room Tuesday while asking Kodiak Middle School students a few silly questions: “Is it cold in Alaska?” “Do you think it’s all beachy and sunshine in California?” Austin and his classmates were in Barstow, California, 3,960 miles away. But they were virtually in the Kodiak class, thanks to a robot...

Police Blotter Jan. 14Dec. 25 Around 2:06 a.m., police conducted two bar checks downtown. At 2:32 a.m., police cited a driver on Rezanof Drive for having no proof of insurance and arrested another man for two warrants. At 3:19 a.m., police warned a driver on Powell Avenue for having no license plate light. At 3:50 a.m., police warned a driver on Rezanof Drive East regarding their driving behavior due to road conditions. At 12:53 p.m., ...

Hundreds of irate residents pack borough code meeting Hundreds of area residents overflowed the assembly chambers and packed the Borough Building corridors Monday evening, nearly prompting the Kodiak Island Borough Planning and Zoning Commission to cancel or postpone its meeting to seek a larger venue. “This is the fullest I have ever seen the place,” acting P&Z chairman Alan Schmitt said. “It says a lot for the issues we’re trying to deal with.” The commission agend...

Dunbar named coach of year Kodiak’s Marcus Dunbar earned a top award last week. Dunbar was voted the top boys coach in Alaska in the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Association’s inaugural high school cross country coach of the year list. One boys coach and one girls coach from each of the 50 states were honored for their successes during the 2014 season. Dunbar is now in consideration for the association’s first-ever National High S...

Local organizations receive funding from foundationEleven local organizations received funding totaling more than $40,000 on Friday from the Alaska Leader Foundation. The 15-year-old foundation was formed by fishermen to benefit local projects and nonprofits. Both Bristol Bay and Kodiak organizations can apply for funding. Almost 70 applicants, mostly from the Bristol Bay area applied this year. Although some of the Bristol Bay applicants were unable to be funded,...

A new Congress brings new hope for AlaskaFor the first time in eight years, Republicans control both chambers of Congress. While our eight-vote majority in the Senate is not enough to unilaterally overcome filibusters or presidential vetoes, it is enough to restore regular order and actual debate on important issues. The changes we are bringing to the Senate – including longer work weeks and an open amendment process – will create opportunities for bipar...

Alaska State Troopers: Jan. 13Jan. 3 A 51-year-old man was charged with five counts of unsworn falsification and three counts of making a false statement, all stemming from residency claims on sport licenses and commercial fishing permits. Jan. 10 At approximately 10:53 p.m. hours, Alaska State Troopers received a report of a disturbance at a residence near Kodiak. Investigation revealed one of the individuals involved was a 28-year-old man of...

Alaska State Troopers: Jan. 13Jan. 3 A 51-year-old man was charged with five counts of unsworn falsification and three counts of making a false statement, all stemming from residency claims on sport licenses and commercial fishing permits. Jan. 10 At approximately 10:53 p.m. hours, Alaska State Troopers received a report of a disturbance at a residence near Kodiak. Investigation revealed one of the individuals involved was a 28-year-old man of...

Outdoor Kodiak: Island clime has guns over a barrel Have you looked at your guns recently? Are you certain they’re still in good shape after weeks or months of storage? Kodiak’s unique climate is the worst I’ve encountered for safely storing firearms. Experience in other climates might delude you into thinking that you did a good job of cleaning and lubing your gun for storage. But your precautions likely aren’t good enough for Kodiak. High humidity. Airborne salt....